Lanlin ignores him.
Instead, he looks past the sergeant to Daire and me. “Would you like his head as a courting gift?”
Daire lets out a delighted laugh.
I nip Daire’s neck in warning, before peering over his shoulder at this terrifying king who is offering murder like it’s a bouquet of roses. “Ehm, maybe just go with some chocolates over a severed head.”
“As you wish.”
“Or cakes,” Daire adds with a hopeful grin. “I love honey ones.”
“Honey cakes,” Lanlin says, thoughtfully, as if one of his soldiers isn’t still sweating in fear of his life in front of him. “I can do that, dearhearts.”
There is a long, tense moment, while Lanlin considers the sergeant like he is deciding whether he is going to serve the vampire’s head on a platter alongside the cakes, before he shrugs.
“You’re demoted.” Lanlin waves his hand.
Devil tosses the sergeant like trash back into the ranks.
The Blood howls as he lands, an upended beetle.
Immediately, Lanlin wheels around, as if to ride back to the front of the procession again.
Yet I am desperate to get to know Lanlin before we arrive at the Blood Court. As frightening as he is, he has just stood up for us in his own way.
I need to understand him. This is my best chance.
“Wait,” I yell.
Surprised, Lanlin glances over his shoulder at me. The moonlight catches on the diamonds that are woven into his long, black hair. His eyes are bright and large, works of art in gold and lapis lazuli.
Who is he, stripped back beneath the jewels, gold, and crown?
Lanlin catches my eye and then quickly looks away, flustered.
He winces, as if looking at me for too long is causing him pain.
But then, it probably is.
Aurelius told me that the Shadow Vampire King has been in agony for the last three years.
He must be close to feral.
Is he in pain now, simply from being close to me?
“Why don’t you ride with us, boss?” Daire offers, catching onto my plan.
“Don’t call meboss.” Lanlin wrinkles his nose.
Devil turns around, however, padding beside her sister. The two demonic lions rub their heads against each other in greeting; their shadows wind together like curling smoke.
Daire glances across at Lanlin. “Aye, bat.”
Bat?
I know that Daire is reckless and impulsive. But does he have a death wish?
Lanlin arches his brow.
